Energy & Natural Resources

Brick Court Chambers is "of the highest calibre" and "a gold-standard chambers" with a strong bench of experienced silks and juniors collectively offering an impressive level of expertise in the energy sector. Members are particularly respected for their prowess in commercial cases, in addition to competition, public law and insurance disputes. Clients include multinational oil and gas companies, energy regulators and financial services giants. A key case for the set this year was Zaur Leshkasheli v Republic of Azerbaijan, defending the latter against claims of expropriation of interest in an oil field and other breaches of an investment treaty. An interviewee remarks: "I was extremely impressed by their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters."

"The clerks have always been helpful."

"Brick Court Chambers is really efficient with good clerks."

"Phil Wilkes, practice manager, is great. Client service is very, very good."

Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are senior clerks.

Edward Ho
Edward Ho is widely regarded as an impressive performer in international arbitration and commercial disputes, with considerable expertise in the energy sector. He has a strong track record handling high-value disputes arising from mining operations, particularly in Africa and Central Asia. "Edward Ho has an amazing ability to grasp essential issues quickly and present them concisely and persuasively." "Edward Ho is absolutely fantastic. He's unbelievable." "He drafts well, works hard and gives the people who lead him a lot of support."

Helen Davies KC
Helen Davies KC has a strong focus on the energy sector and is very highly reputed for her advocacy skills. Her practice takes in various issues ranging from resource exploitation to utility supply, and she does a lot of work relating to the oil and gas industry. Her broad experience covers disputes involving oil and gas fields in the North Sea, Azerbaijan and Africa. "Helen Davies is a heavyweight commercial and competition litigator. Her reputation is formidable, one of the very best." "Clients rave about her." "She is excellent: a strong advocate."

Mark Howard KC
Mark Howard KC cuts a commanding figure at the Commercial Bar and has an excellent reputation in the energy sector. His energy work generally consists of very high-value commercial disputes, and he is noted for his formidable cross-examination in court. "Mark Howard is a fearsome advocate and a draw for some of the biggest energy-related disputes." "He is excellent, one of the top silks at the Bar. He's exceptional." "Mark Howard is the ultimate operator at the Bar when looking for someone in this field."

Gerard Rothschild
Gerard Rothschild is widely reputed as a rising star in energy regulation. He regularly appears before the CMA, Ofgem and the High Court on behalf of energy companies and regulators in high-profile disputes and appeals. "Gerard Rothschild is highly rated, very thoughtful and really clever. He adds value and dimension to his work."

Joanne Box
Joanne Box is a highly rated junior on commercial litigation and arbitrations. She has an impressive track record in the oil and gas sector and can act on the full range of disputes, from upstream to downstream. "Joanne Box is spectacularly blunt about what needs to be delivered, but in a charming fashion. She is super bright." "She takes on cases that are horrifically complex, and she's always, always well prepared."

Daniel Jowell KC
Daniel Jowell KC is a well-regarded silk who is known for his commercial, competition and energy work. He has a healthy practice that focuses on cases concerned with domestic energy and utility supply markets. Jowell frequently advises clients with regard to regulatory judicial reviews and in arbitrations in the LCIA. "Daniel Jowell is a super advocate. He makes his points very firmly, but politely." "Daniel is very well respected. He is sensible and has good judgement."

Fionn Pilbrow KC
Fionn Pilbrow KC is a familiar presence at the Energy Bar. He regularly handles high-value disputes concerning joint venture terms, mining licences and product quality, among other issues. He is particularly noted for his expertise in matters involving detailed technical evidence. Pilbrow has considerable experience acting in high-value fraud cases for energy industry clients. His experience covers arbitrations in the ICC, UNCITRAL and the LCIA, as well as cases before the Commercial Court, the Technology and Construction Court and the Administrative Court. "Fionn Pilbrow is super response and really on top of procedural rules." "He is an absolute pleasure to work with. He's measured, calm and reliable." "He has a way about him, the way he presents, that is endearing and believable. He gets the judges on his side."

Michael Bools KC
Michael Bools KC is a respected silk with experience of oil and gas exploration disputes, acting both for and against government bodies of various nations. He is also adept in cases pertaining to renewables. Bools is frequently instructed by major oil companies in Commercial Court proceedings. "Mike thinks through practical issues very well and is very client- and user-friendly."

Simon Birt KC
Simon Birt KC is noted for his commercial practice and his representation of oil companies in a wide variety of cases, including North Sea disputes. "Simon Birt is a very helpful, serious and conscientious barrister." "Simon is a very effective advocate."

Stephen Midwinter KC
Stephen Midwinter KC is particularly adept at handling cases related to the oil and gas industries. He regularly appears in arbitrations and has experience in the Commercial Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. "Stephen Midwinter is outstanding and a very good advocate. He is very knowledgeable and composed, and his advocacy style is good for arbitration."

Vernon Flynn KC
Vernon Flynn KC is a respected silk with a broad commercial practice who represents clients in a vast array of energy-related disputes, principally those relating to electricity and oil and gas. His practice frequently sees him advising clients in cross-jurisdictional cases, both at trial and on appeal, and he is also regularly involved in arbitrations at UNCITRAL and the LCIA. "Vernon Flynn is a well-respected energy practitioner who is client-friendly and has the ear of the court or tribunal before whom he appears." "Vernon is a very good advocate and makes submissions in a realistic and effective way. Tribunals listen to him."

Richard Eschwege KC
Richard Eschwege KC attracts significant praise from solicitors and barristers alike. He handles a substantial caseload of disputes in the oil and gas industry and has multi-jurisdictional expertise. He is noted for his capacity to handle disputes concerning oil and gas production in the North Sea. "Richard Eschwege is very hard-working, thorough and diligent. He's excellent." "He's absolutely top drawer; a very quick worker, and very smart."